The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program "incentivizes owners and operators of privately held farm, ranch, and forest land to voluntarily give hunters, fishermen, hikers, bird watchers and other recreational outdoor enthusiasts access to land for their enjoyment." Funding was issued through a competitive process and states may use the funding for "existing public access programs, to create new public access programs, or to provide incentives to improve wildlife habitat on enrolled lands." Additionally, the funds may be used "to provide rental payments and other incentives, such as technical or conservation services to landowners who, in return, provide the public access to their land."
"FSA will open the grant application period for fiscal year 2011 funding after publication of a final rule."
This program may raise liability issues for those farmers and ranchers who apply to participate in the program and allow the public on their lands. Recreation use statutes in some states may protect landowners from liability when payment is received, but others may not. Some states distinguish between the type of payment or amount of payment received. Some states may also apply their recreational use statutes to agritourism activities.
For more information, a collection of states' recreational use statutes is available here. A collection of states' agritourism statutes is available here.
To read the USDA News Release, click here.
Posted: 10/05/2010
